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Indiana Supreme Court
Jeffrey L. Foster, Kathie J. Foster, and the Earl Goodwine Trust v. First Merchants Bank, N.A.
24S-PL-75
Civil plenary. Reverses the Benton Circuit Court’s order granting First Merchants Bank’s motion to dismiss Jeffrey and Kathie Foster’s case based on Indiana Trial Rule 41(E). Finds that although the plaintiffs did little to advance their case for several years, they resumed prosecution by requesting a case-management conference before the defendant moved for dismissal under Rule 41(E).  Also finds the case could not be dismissed under that rule, and the trial court abused its discretion in concluding otherwise. Also rejects the defendant’s alternative argument, as the court holds that the equitable doctrine of laches does not apply here. Justice Geoffrey Slaughter dissents with separate opinion.

Indiana Supreme Court
Cohen B. Hancz-Barron v. State of Indiana
22S-LW-310
Life without parole. Affirms Cohen Hancz-Barron’s convictions in Allen Superior Court of murdering a young mother and her three children and his four consecutive life without parole sentences. Finds sufficient evidence supports Hancz-Barron’s convictions and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in permitting the state to recall a witness. Also finds the jury’s weighing of aggravators and mitigators in recommending Hancz-Barron’s LWOP sentence is not subject to appellate review. Finally, finds Hancz-Barron has not shown his sentence is inappropriate and the sentence is not unconstitutional.

Indiana Court of Appeals
T’arel Jordan Justice v. State of Indiana
23A-CR-2592
Criminal. Reverses T’arel Justice’s conviction in Marion Superior Court for aggravated battery and remands for a new trial. Additionally, remands with instructions that the sentencing order and abstract of judgment be corrected to indicate that Justice’s conviction for resisting law enforcement was vacated. Finds the trial court misapplied the burden of proof for Justice’s claims of self defense and defense of a third party.